On cloud nine!
Haughton stars as Jamaica whitewash Barbados in U19 Girls’ Water Polo
JAMAICA CAPTURED the Under-19 title at the CARIFTA Water Polo Championship at the National Aquatic Centre i n Kingston yesterday. The host country easily defeated Barbados in a series score of 5-0 to lift the title.
Chenille Haughton of I mmaculate Conception High School was a star performer for the team. She scored nine goals in the 16-3 first-game victory that set the pace.
The Barbadians were no match for the Jamaicans from Friday, the first day, until the final day, yesterday. Haughton was pleased with her achievement Friday.
“It feels nice to start off well in the game. The nine goals I scored is a good feeling, but, I must say, it is a team effort. Your name can be spread all over the place and people know that you have scored nine goals in one match,” Haughton told The Gleaner last Friday.
“The 16-3 victory was crucial in Game One as it set us up nicely to win the best-offive series against Barbados. I started in grade seven and have been playing for four years. It is a hobby, but I would love to go to the Olympics and other championships representing Jamaica,” she said.
“I just have to try and study as my father (Kirk Haughton) says I have to study to go to training. I have to just put in the work in training and hope for the best in the future,” Haughton pointed out.
“I want to score some more goals. We have a nice team and are doing well so far. I want to say ‘big up’ to my coach and all my teammates,” she added.
The members of the female Under-19 championship team are Rachel MintoWalker (captain), Kayla-Dawn Hernandez, Katherine Brown (vice-captain), Zaydia Davis, Dawnielle Lindsay, Kaitlyn Gayle, Kelsey Gilfillian, Britney Francis, Jordanne Harrison, Abigail Christie, Aaliyah Jones and Jada Brown.